As the 2025 UTME draws near, many candidates are focused on studying, arriving early at their CBT centres, and following JAMB’s guidelines. But one thing often overlooked is something as simple — yet important — as what you eat before the exam.
What you eat on the morning of your exam can affect your comfort, concentration, and performance. Making the wrong food choices could lead to unexpected problems like stomach upset, sleepiness, or worse — purging during the exam.
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Here are some foods JAMB candidates should avoid before heading to the exam centre:
1. Greasy or Oily Foods
Foods like akara (bean cakes), fried yam, fried eggs, or heavy jollof rice may seem tempting in the morning, but they take longer to digest and can make you feel sluggish or sleepy. Worse still, they can upset your stomach and leave you feeling uncomfortable throughout the exam.
2. Beans and Other Gas-Producing Foods
Beans, moi-moi, or other legumes may cause bloating or even frequent toilet runs, especially if your stomach is sensitive. You don’t want to be shifting in your seat or asking to leave the hall when you should be focused.
3. Too Much Milk or Dairy
Some students react badly to milk, yoghurt, or custard, especially on an empty stomach. This could lead to stomach cramps or diarrhea. Unless you’re used to dairy and know how your body responds, it’s better to skip it on exam day.
4. Energy Drinks or Excessive Caffeine
Coffee, energy drinks, or cola drinks might give you a quick energy boost, but they can also cause anxiety, increased heartbeat, or even a crash halfway through the exam. You’re better off staying hydrated with clean water.
5. Sugary Snacks or Junk Food
Biscuits, sweets, sugary pastries, and carbonated drinks might fill you up quickly but will leave you hungry not long after. And if your body crashes from the sugar rush, your brain might feel too weak to focus.
What Should You Eat Instead?
Go for something light, healthy, and easy to digest:
- Pap with small bread or plantain
- Oatmeal or cereal with moderate milk
- Boiled yam or potatoes with a little sauce
- Light rice with stew and boiled egg
- Tea and bread, if it doesn’t upset your stomach
Just make sure you don’t eat anything too new or unfamiliar on exam day — you don’t want any surprises.
Final Tip: Don’t Go on an Empty Stomach
Skipping food entirely is also a bad idea. An empty stomach can lead to dizziness, tiredness, or even headaches. Eat something light, and drink water — but don’t overdo it, so you don’t have to leave during the exam.
Your brain needs fuel to function at its best, and eating right is part of your exam preparation. Make smart food choices so you can focus fully on your questions — not your stomach.